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Review
. 2019 Mar 27;11(3):250-260.
doi: 10.4254/wjh.v11.i3.250.

Update on management of gastric varices

Louisa J Vine  1 , Mohsan Subhani  1 , Juan G Acevedo  2
Affiliations
Review

Update on management of gastric varices

Louisa J Vine et al. World J Hepatol. .

Abstract

Gastric varices (GV) have different physiology and clinical characteristics compared to oesophageal varices (OV). There is little information about the management of GV. Most part of the recommendations is extrapolated from studies where the majority of participants had OV. Thus, most recommendations lack of strong evidence. This is a comprehensive review on all aspects of management of GV, i.e., primary, secondary prophylaxis and management of acute bleeding. The papers on which international societies' recommendations are based are scrutinised in this review and areas of research are identified.

Keywords: Cirrhosis; Gastric varices; Oesophageal varices; Portal hypertension.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors declare no conflict of interest related to this publication.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Classification of gastric varices according to their anatomical location within the stomach. GOV-1: Gastroesophageal varices type-1; GOV-2: Gastroesophageal varices type-2; IGV-1: Isolated gastric varices type-1; IGV-2: Isolated gastric varices type-2.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Algorithm of management of gastric varices: Primary prophylaxis, acute bleeding and secondary prophylaxis. 1Patients with gastroesophageal varices (GOV)-1 or GOV2 extending close to the cardias may be treated with endoscopic band ligation if the varix diameter is smaller than the diameter of the cap of the ligation device. Hb: Haemoglobin; TIPS: Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt; BRTO: Balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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